Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the 9/11 remembrance at Ground Zero, facing criticism from some individuals in the city. A former police officer stated the mayor ‘probably should have skipped it.’ Another attendee labeled his presence as ‘disrespectful’ and ‘offensive.’
Mamdani has drawn disapproval due to his connections with contentious political figures and his decision to appoint Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel. Kassem previously defended a Guantánamo detainee linked to an al Qaeda plot. Former New York Governor George Pataki and former FDNY Commissioner Thomas von Essen requested Mamdani skip the event.
‘He showed up anyway. It does bother us,’ said Walter Matuza, who lost his father on 9/11.
Matuza was among the victims’ families urging Mamdani to stay away. The petition against Mamdani gathered over 110,000 signatures. He criticized Mamdani’s association with Hasan Piker, who previously stated America ‘deserved 9/11,’ as a reason for his stance.
A former New Jersey police officer, Mike, remarked that Mamdani should have avoided the event, citing past rhetoric. He also commented on the mayor’s appointment of Kassem, suggesting a different approach could have been taken.
Another mourner expressed disdain for Mamdani’s appearance, labeling him a ‘communist’ and stressing the non-political nature of the memorial. Steven, attending from Florida, described Mamdani’s presence as ‘disrespectful.’
Steven noted a significant number of New Yorkers signed the petition against Mamdani and believed he should honor their wishes. He criticized the information younger generations receive about 9/11, advocating for accurate education on the event.
John, another attendee, acknowledged Mamdani’s right to attend, stating that as long as he remained respectful, his presence was acceptable. John lost friends at Cantor-Fitzgerald, a firm profoundly affected by the attacks.
In a statement, Mamdani expressed pride in New York and America, focusing on the families who lost loved ones and the first responders of 9/11. During the ceremony, Mamdani briefly interacted with his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani.
All living former presidents attended the ceremony, with President Donald Trump visiting the Pentagon’s remembrance instead.
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